Wear compensator for journal boxes



Sept. 23, 1924.

J. E. M DANlEL WEAR COMPENSATOR FOR JOURNAL BOXES 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sent. 28. 1923 Sept. 23 1924.

J. E. McDANlEL WEAR COMPENSATOR FOR JOURNAL BOXES Filed Sept. 28, 1923 2 Sheets-Shut 2 Patented Sept. 23, 1924.

UNITED. s'rarss 1,509,238 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES E. MGDANIEL, OF COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAE-LGLEHA, ASSIGNO'R 01 THIRTY-ONE PER GENT TO T. W. WATERS, $EVENTEEN PER CENT TO AR -EUB '9)".

TWENTY-TWO CE Til. TD THEUDOTUS C. HAIVLBY, ALL OF GOLUJLIBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA, AND FIVE PETE;- CHNI' TO CHARLES Ill-I, (ii-LLLGWAY, OF WASHINGTON,

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

WEAR, COMPENSATGB,

Application filed September To all whom it may concern;

Be it known that 1, JAMES E. hiicDnnrnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Columbia, in the county of Richland and fdtate of South Carolina, have invented new and useful lmproven'ients in Wear Compensators tor Journal B lies, of which the following is a specification This invention relates to wear compensating ournal boxes of the self-adjusting solid wedge or automatic type, and the primary object of the same is to improve and siniplil'y devices of this type, particularly as disclosed. by my prior Patents No. 958,270, May 17, 1910, and 1,448,683, March l3, l9

further object of the invention is to simplify the construction and arrangement oi parts or" wear compensating journal boxes of the type specified and reduce the cost of manufacture thereof, and at the same time provide for a positive operating, wear compensating means involving angularly disposed, relatively movable wedges a more eflective type having direct engagement in contradistinction to wedge structures cmbodying interposed adjustable connecting rod means, and whereby a more stable and durable wear compensating means for a journal box organization is produced. A further object of the invention is to provide wear compensating means for journal boxes wherein the number of parts are inaterially reduced and comprising angnlarly disposed, direct interacting main and adjusting wedges associated in such manner that the lower inclined or tapered end of the main wedge has a material range of act justrnent on the upper inclined edge of the secondary or adjustment controlling wedge.

With these and other objects and advantages in view, the invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a journal box comprising the features of the invention, the pedestal part of the boX being broken away;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a pedestal broken away, showing parts of the improved journal box mounted therein;

TJOF; JQURNAL BOXES.

28, 1923. Serial No. 685,389.

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the pedestal broken away at its upper portion and showing the improved journal box associated tl ercwith Fig. t is a longitudinal vertical section on the line l4l-, Fig. 3, and

Figs. :3, 5 and '7 are detail perspective views of the secondary or adjusting wedge and the ratchet elements.

The numeral 5 designates a driving shaft mounted in a driving box composed of the upper section 6 and the lower section 7. The driving box is slidably' mounted between a wearing plate or shoe 8 fitted against the inner side of the one jaw 9 of a pedestal 10 and a main wedge 11 engaging the inner side of the opposite jaw 12 of the pedestal. The opposite ends of the sections 6 and 7 01? the driving box are respectively formed with grooves 13, 1d and 15, 16, the grooves 13 and 15 and 14 and 16 being in vertical alinement, to receive the inner edges of the plate or shoe 8 and the main wedge 11. The plate or shoe 8 also has its outer side formed with a groove 17, to fit over the inner edge of the jaw 9 of the pedestal 10, and the wedge 11 has a groove 18 formed in its outer edge, to fit over the inner edge of the pedestal jaw 12. The jaws 9 and 12 have lower outwardly projecting feet or an.- gular bosses l9 and 20, which are vertically apertured to receive screw bolts 21 extending th rethrough and into upper angular lugs or similar devices 22 formed as por tions of a yoke 23.

The essential feature 01" the present invention, together with incidental details also contributing to the improvements, resides in the formation of the main wedge 11 and a secondary or adjusting wedge 241:, disposed at an angle to the said wedge 11 and movable with relation to the lower horizon tal member 25 of the yoke 23. The Wedge 11 has an outer inclined edge 26 and an in ner vertical straight edge 27, the inner edge 12 of the jaw 12 of the pedestal being in clined similarly to the inclination of the outer edge of the main wedge. The groove 18 in the outer edge of the main wedge 11 is also inclined and extends fully throughout the length of the wedge and intersects a groove 28 formed in the lower end of the enlarged extremity of this wedge a wedge 11 The lower end of the wedge is also inclined, as at 29, and from this wider lower extremity of the wedge the latter tapers regularly towards the upper ter1ninal 30 of the same. The secondary adjusting wedge 24: has an upper downwardly and outwardly inclined edge 31 having the S2111}?- angle as the lower inclined end 29 ot th v wedge 11, and the groove 28, which also inclines regularly with the lower end of the wedge 11, is of a width to receive the wedge 24, as shown by Figs. and 3, The bottom edge 32 of the secondary or adjusting wedge 24. is horizontally flat and nearer the inner rectan gular socket opens through the bottom 32 and is of such dimensions as to looseh receive a ratcheted locking block or member 35, the socket 83 being of greater vertical extent than the vertical extent of the said ratcheted locking block or member, as clearly shown by Fig. 4. The upper side of the ratcheted locking block or member 35 is smooth and the lower sine thereof is formed with ratchet teeth 36. The main end memhers 37 and 38 of the yoke and with which the lower horizontal member 25 is integrally formed, are laterally enlarged or swelled as at 39, see Fig. 3, to increase thc strength and durability of these portions of the yoke. The end member 37 is wider than the member 88, and from the inner side ot the said member 37 a longitudinal roove 4.0 is formed in the lower horizontal member 25 and continues through the center of the lower portion of the end member The bottom of this groove is provided with sockets 41, which extend vertically into the member 25, and disposed longitudinally in the groove t0 is a ratchet bar 42 having a lower horizontal side 43 with depending dowel pins 44:, which removably engage the sockets etl. The upper edge of the bar 2 is formed with ratchet teeth 4 extending.

the full length thereof for eng ement b-r the teeth 36 of the ratchet or locking block 35, and by this means the longitudinal ad justment ot the secondary wedge 24 is maintained relatively to the lower inclined end of the main wedge 11. lhe formation of the groove 40 as hereinbefore e): plained provides opposite guard flanges 4h?- at the upper portion of the horizontal member 25 of the yoke, and the vertical extent o the ratchet bar 42 isless than the depth ot the groove 40, so that the lower portion o? the wedge 24 together with the ratcheted locking block or member 35 is retained in true position relatively to the lower end of the wedge 11, or is held against lateral movement the portions of the flanges projecting above the teeth 45 of the ratchet bar 42 serving as guide means for the longitudinal adjustment of the secondary wet he 24.. The wedge 24 is adjusted through th medium of an elongated set screw if having an outer wiench-engaging head l8 and an inner collar and, reduced extremity 4-9 and 50, which support the inner end or" a spring 5i having its opposite extremit titted over secured i;; end of thc a rearwardly projecting pin oil the center of the inner enlarged said wedge The inclination of the inner edge 12 of the pedestal jaw 12 is continued regularly at the inner si le 33 or" the end member 38 ot the yoke so that the lower extremity oi". the main wedge ll will be positively sus tained in its vertical adjustment and sup ported in its engagement with the upper of the wedge 24.

inclined side it The use ot the wear plate or shoe 3 engagr ing the pedestal jaw 57 as hercinbetorc ex plained preferred but it will be under stood that this wear plate or shoe might be om tted and the box sections 6 and 1' might directly engage the inner side of the said pedestal jaw without in the least do parting From the spirit of the invention its hereiubctore indicated, the most. essential feature of the invention is the taper or inclination ot the l wer end 29 of the main wedge 11, which works between the box and the pedestal. together with the direct engagement o the said lower tapered end of the main wedge with the upper tapered side 31. of the secondary or auxiliary wedge 24-. and whereby a positive association ot the two cooperating wedges ensues with a resulta it sensitiveness in :HljHStll'lQllt and the elimination of all connecting parts between the two wedges as in the prior patented structures. The present improvement is also more compact in its general organization and a consequcm-e will be stronger and hare greater wearing chanwteristirs. and, iurtheri'nore, the cost oil production will be minin'iizcd. l nrther. the feature of the ouepiere ratchctcd locking' block or member file .3 having loose association in the socket 3 opening; through the bottom of the set ondarv or auxiliary wedge 24' provides for a positive grip and retention ot adjustment of the said latter wedge relatively to the ratchet bar 41-2 with the same degree of efi'- ciency in my prior patented structures w thout Forming the lower side or bottom 32 ot the wedge 24. with ratchet teeth. Moreover, the mounting of the secondary or auxiliary wedge 2st in the usual lower yoke 23 without the addition or" an extra bracket construction more desiral'ile. in view of the further reduction 01 the number of parts as compared to prior structurest and the wedge organization of the present improve ment is materially strengthened and a greater accuracy of operation is provided. The groove 40. continuing through the end member 38 for the mounting oi the rack bar 42 and to provide maximum adjustment out lIlO wardly of the secondary or auxiliary wedge 24:, has thereabove an opening 38, to permit the wedge 24 to move outwardly through the said opening withoutrestriction.

In operation, the spring 51 is adjusted through the medium of the screw 4:? to the pressure desired to be maintained on the driving box, and it will. be evident that any wear in the driving box will be automatically taken up by means of this spring forcing the secondary or auxiliary wedge A to the left, thus raising the main wedge 11, with the obvious result that the looseness of the driving box parts or sections 6 and 7, due to wear, will be eliminated. During this automatic adjustment of the secondary or auxiliary wedge 24, the ratcheted locking block or member 35 will ride over the ratchet teeth 45 of the ratchet bar 42 and thereby lock the wedge system against reverse movement. In this manner, the desired. pressure on the bearing will always be maintained, which pressure, of course, will allow the usual sliding movements of the driving box in the pedestal aws. This automatic adjustment will be particularly advantageous in the present improvement. in view of the direct engagement of the lower inclined end 29 of the wedge 11 with the upper inclined side 31 of the secondary or auxiliarywedge 24, in view of the fact that there is not the least lost motion and, further, the smallest amount of abnormal looseness of the driving box sections relatively to the jaws will be promptly taken up or compensated for by the wedge 24': coacting under the spring stress with the lower end of the wedge 11.

In addition to the strength added to the improved structure by the lateral enlargements or swells on the members 37 and 38, the member 37 has a further function of ser as stop, the said member projects ing inside of the inner edge of the pedestal jaw 9 and adapted to be engaged by the box above the same on its downward travel, thereby preventing possible contact of the lower box section 7 with the secondary or horizontal adjusting wedge 24 and spring 51.

It will also be noted that the teeth 36 of the locking block 35 and the teeth 45 of the bar .42 are out backward, or have considerable length, to permit yielding action of the two wedges in taking up slight movement without disengaging these teeth or serrations. In other words, the structure of the teeth 36 and 45 as just specified provides a certain amount of play while the teeth are still held in engagement.

What is claimed as new is:

1. In combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, an adjustable bearing wedge associated with the bearing box, mechanism mounted in said yoke for autoni'atieally controlling the position of said bearing wedge including an auxiliary wedge with which the said bearing wedge has direct engagen'ient, and means engaging the said auxiliary wedge for automaticall; adjusting the bearing wedge to compensate for wear on the driving box.

2. In combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, an adjustable bearing wedge associated with the said bearing box and provided with a lower inclined end, and mechanism mounted in said yoke for automatically controlling the position of said bearing wedge including an auxiliary wedge with an upper inclined top with which the lower end of the bearing wedge has direct engagement, and means for resiliently and automatically controlling the movement of the auxiliary wedge in the yoke.

3. The combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, of a rack disposed in the lower portion of the yoke, an auxiliary wedge longitudinally movable over the rack and having a ratcheted locking member loosely carried by and projecting from the lower portion thereof, resilient means for automatically adjusting the auxiliary wedge, the latter having an upper downwardly antv outwardly inclined top, and a bearing wedge associated with the bearing box having a. lower inclined end directly bearing upon the upper inclined top of the auxiliary wedge.

4. In combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having lower yoke, an adjustable bearing wedge associated with the bearing box and having a lower grooved inclined end, and mechanism mounted in said yoke for automatically controlling the position of sa d bearing wedge and including an auxiliary wedge having an upper downwardly and outwardly inclined top directly engaged by the lower grooved end of the bearing wedge, and resilient means for automatically controlling the movement of the auxiliary wedge to adjust the bearing wedge.

5. In combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, an upright adjustable bearing wedge associated with said bearing box, an auxiliary wedge disposed at an angle to the said bearing wedge and automatically movable in the yoke, the lower end of the bearing wedge directly engaging the upper portion of the auxiliary wedge, and means for automatically adjusting and for locking the adjustment of the auxiliary wedge.

6. The combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, an upright adjustable bearing wedge associated with the bearing box and having a lower enlarged inclined end formed with a groove, an auxiliary wedge longitudinally movable in the yoke and having an upper inclined edge directly engaged by the lower grooved inclined edge of the bearing wedge, automatically operating locking means for holding the auxiliary wedge in its adjusted position, and means including a tension spring adjustable to the pressure desired to be maintained on the driving box and automatically operating to tal-1e up bymeans of the auxiliary wedge through the bearing wedge wear on the hearing box.

7. In combination with a bearing box and a frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke, an upright adjustable bearing wedge associated with said bearing box, arack bar horizontally disposed-in the lower portion of the yoke, an auxiliary wedge adjustably movable ever the rack bar and having a recess opening through the bottom thereof with an automatically operating ratcheted locking block disposed there in and movable therewith, the said locking block being of less vertical extent than the depth of the recess, the lower end of the bearing wedge directly engaging the upper edge of the auxiliary wedge, an adjusting screw held in one end of the yoke, and a tension spring interposed between the adjusting screw and the adjacent edge of the auxiliary wedge, the said spring being ad justable to the pressure desired to be maintained on the driving box and effecting an automatic take up of the wear on the driving box parts through the said auxiliary and bearing wedges.

' 8. The combination of a bearing box and frame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke comprising a lower horizontal member and end members, the end members being laterally increased in thickness to strengthen the same, an. adjustable bearing wedge associated with said bearing box and having its lower end projecting downwardly into the yoke, and mechanism mount ed in the yoke for automatically controlling the position of said bearing wedge and including an auxiliary wedge longitudinally movable on the lower portion of the yoke and having an upper inclined edge directly engaged by the lower end of the bearing wedge, and means for elfecting an automatic adjustment of the auxiliary wedge.

9. The combination of a bearing box and .lrame in which said box is mounted having a lower yoke comprising a lower horizontal member and end members, the end members being laterally increased in thickness to strengthen the same and the one end member serving as a stop to prevent the bearing box from being depressed below the same, an adjustable bearing wedge associated with said bearing box and having spring tension means cooperating therewith, and mechanism mounted in the yoke for automatically controlling the position of said bearing wedge and including an auxiliary wedge longitudinally movable on the lower portion of the yoke and directly engaged by the bearing wedge.

10. The combination of a bearing box and frame in which the box is mounted, the frame having a lower yoke, an adjustable bearing wedge associated with said bearing box and having its lower end projecting downwardly into the yoke, an. auxiliary wedge longitudinally movable on the lower portion of the yoke and directly engaged by the lower end of the wedge and having a loosely mounted toothed block, the lower portion of the yoke also having a toothed device and the teeth of the latter and of the block cut backward to permit play of the wedges in taking up slight movement without disengagement of the said teeth,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JAMES E. McDANIEL. 

